One of the most oxymoronic and obnoxious phrases in America today is this: “The working poor.”

We live in the richest nation in the history of the world, and it’s morally abominable that anyone who works in this country is poor. Our economy is deliberately skewed by public policy. As a result, the vast portion of America’s wealth, which is generated by all of us, flows to the few at the top, shortchanging the middle class and leaving millions of hard working Americans – many working two or three jobs – in poverty.

Proponents say the increase was overdue, with inflation having long ago cut into the previous hike.

Sixth District Congressman and U.S. House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn writes that the increase from $5.15 an hour to $7.25 over a two-year period will have real impact in South Carolina, which has among the lowest wages in the nation.

The federal minimum wage will rise from $5.15 to $5.85 on July 24. The first increase in 10 years, it marks the end of the longest period without a raise since the minimum wage was enacted in 1938.

The minimum wage will again increase to $6.55 in 2008 and to $7.25 in 2009.

However, when adjusted for inflation, those minimum wage workers will have less buying power than minimum wage workers had half a century ago, says Business for Shared Prosperity, a nationwide network of employers and investors.

On July 24, the federal minimum wage increased for the first time in ten years, moving up 70 cents from $5.15 an hour to $5.85. It will take two more years before the final step in the raise to $7.25 takes place in 2009.

WASHINGTON - A hike in the federal minimum wage went into effect on Tuesday for the first time in ten years, ending the longest stretch without such an increase since the minimum wage was enacted in 1938.

The minimum wage rose 70 cents, from $5.15 an hour to $5.85 an hour. This wage raise is the first of three scheduled to take effect over the next two years.

Connor Adams started his first job less than a month ago and already he's slated for a raise, thanks to Uncle Sam.

"Oh! Really?" the 15-year-old responded when told of the extra money he'll get in his paycheck starting today.

He was hired at $5.50 an hour — above the old hourly minimum wage of $5.15 — to bus tables for the summer at Grant Central Pizza & Pasta Restaurant in Grant Park. Now, he'll get $5.85 an hour, the result of Congress passing an increase this year.